Another five years go by, another deadlock is achieved; and now the world must wait another five years before the next review conference on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) can be held again, and hope that the political motivations of the P5 move beyond ‘realpolitik’ towards a more principled stance. The NPT review conference, which sought to strengthen the existing regime and innovate new methods to achieve the goal of a nuclear free world ended without any agreement after proposals –put forward by Egypt – were blocked to make the Middle East a nuclear-free zone. The move, which would have required UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, convene within 180 days a regional conference with or without the participation of Israel, was vetoed by the usual suspects – the United States, backed by UK and Canada. This thinly disguised step taken to preserve the Israeli nuclear programme is in stark contrast –principally and philosophically at least - to the zealous opposition, overwrought caution, heated debate and blatant fear mongering being displayed over the Iran nuclear deal; which ironically, aims to ensure non-proliferation and institute a peaceful civilian programme.
Not only does the maintenance of this double standard harm the US; whose actions – even those that are legitimately aimed at alleviating genuine problems – will always be viewed through the lens of distrust, since it’s loudly proclaimed principles and policies appear easily malleable in the face of vested interests. It also damages the goal of global non-proliferation, which becomes a collateral causality in the bid to protect the United State’s favourite friend. The changes in the world since the NPT was signed have been significant; India has made and entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Pakistan and China proceed with nuclear cooperation despite Pakistan being a non-signatory – the scenario is mimicked by India and the US – and new methods of observation have been invented. The NPT was sorely in need of an update, and the Middle East, in need of a nuclear free zone; yet the double standards maintained by the West undercut all these concerns.